Set during the cold war era of the 50s and 60s, An American Rhapsody tells
the true story of a family of Hungarian immigrants escaping to the West and
the daughter they inadvertently leave behind. As you might expect Cliff Eidelman
imbues his work with a strong ‘European’ feel and his emotionally charged music
goes a long way to painting a picture of cultural change and family loss and
hardship.

The ‘Main Title (The Iron Fist)’ is an imposing symphonic work, dramatic and
expressive and this cue tells you pretty much everything about what to expect
in the ensuing fifty-five minutes or so. This central theme is further explored
on various tracks including ‘A Heartfelt Goodbye’ and is heard to particularly
good effect on ‘There Was an Iron Fist’. Much of the rest of the score is devoted
to plaintive strings and piano pieces as with ‘A Loving Return’ and the moving
‘Journey Back Home’ and to be truthful there is little in the way of contrast,
even if cues such as ‘The Old House’, effectively capturing a sense of memory
and the past, as well as the subtle dramatics of ‘Suzanne Arrives in America’
are well above average. Also included are three songs; the traditional ‘Sino
Moi’ is performed memorably by Marta Sebestyen, although two further ballads
by Ando Drom are far less appealing.

A polished enough score that certainly delivers drama and angst, but if I am
to be critical it’s one of those soundtracks that will unquestionably make a
stronger impact in the film itself. Worthwhile, proficient, perhaps just a little
dull at times, but a clear signal that Eidelman has talent and will go on to
better things.